A New Device for Securing Birds' Pictures BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN With photographs from nature by the author THE success of Mr. George A. Shiras, of Pittsburg, in securing photographs of deer by means of an automatic appara- tus whereby the animal photographed virtually took its own picture has suggested the employment of a not dissimilar plan in procuring photographs of birds. Though not familiar with Mr. Shiras' methods and with no experience in his special field of work, it nevertheless seems evident that with an animal as strong as a deer no difficulty would be en- countered in so arranging a string or trip -line that the deer in striking it would readily spring a cam- era shutter. In the case of small birds, however, no success was had in making what might be called a ' camera trap ' until electricity was employed ; then with the assistance of Messrs. Rowley and Schneider, at the American Museum of National History, a design was evolved, which, in practice, seems to possess some merit. BLUEBIRD ON ELECTRIC PERCH It was soon fount! that if the circuit was completed and the picture made the moment the bird alighted on what may be called the ' trigger ' of the trap, the picture would represent a bird in motion with wings flap- (194)
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